Europe protests austerity measures

Francisco Seco/AP PhotoA riot policeman runs past a fire set by protestors during clashes in Lisbon during a general strike Wednesday, Nov. 14 2012. The second general strike in eight months in Portugal, where the government intends to intensify austerity measures next year, left commuters stranded as trains ground to a virtual halt and the Lisbon subway shut down.

Francisco Seco/AP PhotoRiot policemen detain a man during clashes in Lisbon during a general strike Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012. The second general strike in eight months in Portugal, where the government intends to intensify austerity measures next year, left commuters stranded as trains ground to a virtual halt and the Lisbon subway shut down.

Joao Henriques/AP PhotoAn elderly couple watches from their window a protest march heading towards the Portuguese parliament in Lisbon during a general strike Monday, Nov. 14 2012. The second general strike in eight months in Portugal, where the government intends to intensify austerity measures next year, left commuters stranded as trains ground to a virtual halt and the Lisbon subway shut down.

Daniel Ochoa de Olza/AP PhotoRiot police apprehend a protestor during a general strike in Madrid, Spain, Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012. Spain's General Workers' Union said the nationwide stoppage, the second this year, was being observed by nearly all workers in the automobile, energy, shipbuilding and constructions industries.

Fernando Hernandez/AP PhotoA protestor lies injured on the ground during clashes with riot police during a general strike in Valencia, Spain, Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012. Spain's General Workers' Union said the nationwide stoppage, the second this year, was being observed by nearly all workers in the automobile, energy, shipbuilding and constructions industries.

Andres Kudacki/AP PhotoRiot police apprehend a protestor during a general strike in Madrid, Spain, Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012. Spain's General Workers' Union said the nationwide stoppage, the second this year, was being observed by nearly all workers in the automobile, energy, shipbuilding and constructions industries.

Daniel Ochoa de Olza/AP PhotoA protestor sits in Gran Via street during a general strike in Madrid, Spain, Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012. Spain's General Workers' Union said the nationwide stoppage, the second this year, was being observed by nearly all workers in the automobile, energy, shipbuilding and constructions industries.

Andres Kudacki/AP PhotoA protestor shouts as a couple eat inside a open restaurant during a general strike in Madrid, Spain, Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012. Spain's main trade unions stage a general strike, coinciding with similar work stoppages in Portugal and Greece, to protest government-imposed austerity measures and labor reforms. The strike is the second in Spain this year.

Manu Fernandez/AP PhotoA demonstrator kicks the glass at the main entrance of "Palau de la Musica" during clashes following a demonstration during a general strike in Barcelona Spain, Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012. Spain's main trade unions stage a general strike, coinciding with similar work stoppages in Portugal and Greece, to protest government-imposed austerity measures and labor reforms. The strike is the second in Spain this year.

Petros Giannakouris/AP PhotoA protester covers her head in a plastic bag, meant to show that austerity measures are suffocating Greeks, outside Parliament during a union protest in Athens, Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012. Workers across the European Union sought to present a united front against rampant unemployment and government spending cuts Wednesday with a string of strikes and demonstrations across the region.

Gregorio Borgia/AP PhotoPolice clash with demonstrators during a protest against Italian Government austerity measures in Rome, Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012. Workers across the European Union sought to present a united front against rampant unemployment and government spending cuts Wednesday with a string of strikes and demonstrations across the region. Protesters clashed with police in various demonstrations in Rome, Milan, Turin, Padua and Brescia.

Gregorio Borgia/AP PhotoA demonstrator and a riot police officer clash during a protest against Italian Government austerity measures in Rome, Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012. Workers across the European Union sought to present a united front against rampant unemployment and government spending cuts Wednesday with a string of strikes and demonstrations across the region. Protesters clashed with police in various demonstrations in Rome, Milan, Turin, Padua and Brescia.